His daughter, Danielle Ward, said Muncie was a great man, a loving father and doting grandfather to three grandchildren.

On Saturday at noon, Muncie’s family held a public memorial service for the Chargers icon at The Rock Church located at 2277 Rosecrans St.

What Prompted Chuck Muncie to Change His Life: Laz

NBC 7's Sports Director and former San Diego Chargers Jim Laslavic remembers Chuck Muncie and the moment when the former running back decided to turn his life around.

(Published Tuesday, May 14, 2013)

The memorial service was live streamed on the church's website.

For those attending the service, Muncie’s family asked that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Boys and Girls Club, other youth-related programs or the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation.

Earlier this month, Muncie’s daughter said her father was a huge advocate for youth-related programs, always looking to help children.

"His work with at-risk youth, the Boys and Girls Clubs and his foundation were the things that really made him shine," Ward said.

In recent years, Muncie dedicated himself to establishing the Chuck Muncie Youth Foundation, an organization that offers youth mentoring, kids’ camps, job training and other programs.

Muncie, originally a star of the New Orleans Saints, was traded to the Chargers in 1980. He played for the Bolts from 1980 to 1984.

During his nine seasons with the NFL, he rushed for 6,702 yards and scored 71 touchdowns. In 1981 in San Diego, he ran for 1,144 yards on 256 carries and held a then-record of 19 touchdowns.

In the span of his career, Muncie appeared on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” three times.

In 1989, Muncie was sentenced to 18 months in prison for selling cocaine but later turned his life around and worked with others struggling with addiction and young people facing the pressure to join street gangs.

Former San Diego Charger and NBC 7’s Sports Director Jim Laslavic played with Muncie and said he was one of the veterans he always looked forward to seeing when Bolts got together.